It's the Mike Mulgrew Show!

I'm a UFT Delegate again, and attended remotely. Here's what you missed.

In the first DA I’ve attended since I stepped down as chapter leader two years ago, Michael Mulgrew spoke for an hour and 12 minutes. When someone objected, he claimed the majority of people wanted this report. However, there was no vote on this report, and no way to know whether or not this was the will of the majority. Mulgrew said so, and clearly believes that should be good enough for anyone.

The first question in the brief question period, ten minutes I think, as opposed to the unlimited time for Mulgrew, was about health care. Mulgrew doubled down on the false narrative that UFT is the only union that opposes the MA plan. He repeated the same lies, established to be absolutely false in court, that he’s been using about the MA program.

He also said he would not file an amicus brief. He said that if we lose at the Court of Appeals, the highest court in NY State, we would then fight. That is like saying you will wait until you lose in the Supreme Court of the United States before you resist. Call me madcap, but the notion of a successful fight, to my mind, is to win it before, rather than after, you lose in the highest court in the land.

Mulgrew also defended his failure to preclude 12/23 in advance. Once again, he takes no responsibility for yet another screw up, even though it’s happened before. (He is never wrong, evidently.)

Then there was a big push from Unity big shots to work to improve the COLA for retirees. It’s unfortunate that most retirees no longer trust Unity, as a direct result of their having sold us out on health care. While it’s nice they now claim want to work to improve COLA, this comes directly after they overwhelmingly lost the support of the retiree chapter.

I don’t much believe in coincidence

To me, it looks like a distraction, a move to change the subject from their miserable record on health care. And no, I’m not cynical. I simply do not trust Michael Mulgrew or Unity as far as I can throw them.

Notes—unedited

4:20—Mulgrew declares it’s a very pink day. Says we love our union, complains about the light being too hot.

Welcomes us. Asks who is new delegate or CL, congratulates them.

Says he will go slow because we have new folks. Says if you need to speak raise your hand, will pick people online. Will go through rules. Will tell people if they’re appropriate or not. Says we need each and every one of our people voted in. Will talk about challenges, but says we never know what’s coming, e.g. chancellor retires. Melissa Ramos new chancellor.

Complains of noisy people outside. Wants them in. Says it’s like HS again.

Asks for moment of silence for union activist who passed.

National—not much to cover, disgusting election going on, doing work phone banking. All boroughs doing it, in person, virtually. Doing bus trips, retirees and in service. Started in Philly, seeing where needed next week, likely Lehigh Valley.

Thanks those who’ve phone banked. Doing 5K contacts a night. Hopes everyone has a chance to do it. interesting conversations. Says no one believes he’s Mulgrew when he calls.

We believe in freedom of choice for candidates. Some people don’t like them. Says he doesn’t like some because he knows them all. Job is to protect people in education hospitals, our profession, union. Asks if you’re an AARP member you may be mad at their endorsement.

Says lots of people feel anger. If you don’t like them, fine, But we’ve done process and vetting, you make choice. Be respectful. We are teachers, nurses. We need to show that model to change world.

Local—New chancellor is Ramos. Been speaking with her. Last year she left DOE, was lots of frustration, credit to her. Came back and is now chancellor. Discussed problems we’re facing right now—bad curriculum implementation. Special ed. getting worse. Safety problem. How do we have respectful, appropriate discipline, micromanagement, paperwork, people who shouldn’t be around kids.

She looks at it from lens of what DOE can do for schools. Different, most give a speech about how bureaucracy is problem. Go in, give speeches about vision. What about all this crap that’s not working? We home chancellor makes things work.

Have been changes. When you do consultations, they took 500 from central and sent them to supe offices.

Changes to city government—daily toll. We laugh about it, but not good for city. When you have entire admin under investigation not good. We have mayoral control, don’t support it. Chaos is only good for people who don’t want to do their work. DOE has long history, not happy with me, thrive in chaos because no one holds them accountable.

All city agencies under investigation not getting things done. Governor monitoring situation—could have new mayor in a month. No one knows. We could have new mayor, 90 days, another mayor, and repeat cycle. Not good for us. We need stability. our students need it.

When this scenario happens, not much will get done.

Asks new CLs to raise hand. Ask if consultation committee is in place. Happy for those who got it done. Got more rights and voice to chapter in last three contracts. Says he was frustrated didn’t have more voice. Filed article 24, using SBOs, needs real authority to negotiate with principal. Negotiating committees made these choices.

You’ll never organize entire school as activists. Thanks those who have time. 3 issues—curriculum, class size, new teachers and how they are supported. Mentoring is great. Have to help new teachers.

Curriculum—illustrative? math, in HS. Said there were problems, rolled it out anyway. Forming citywide group to deal with new chancellor. People say don’t give me a curriculum, but we should have autonomy. You should modify pacing calendars. If you have an assessment every week on computer, will screw kids up. Was a time when we all got curriculums.

Teachers say pre-requisite, or scaffolding, not stuff outside building, which reporters think it is. A whole bunch missing for this curriculum. Starting grade 9 with prerequisites missing. Design gives you first 14 lessons on statistics. Math teachers have documented ss have no ability to do them. Every teacher doing it says every kid will hate math by October.

Leads to algebra Regents. 5 major components missing. Passing rate will go down, teachers will be blamed. Teachers say this harms students. Admin doesn’t want passing rates down. Having conversations. Has to be time period with remediation. Math teachers may disagree. Most said they understand curriculum and approach. Say it’s good idea but can’t teach because students aren’t prepared.

Literacy and HMH. Every school used to do own thing, Balanced literacy took hold. Worked in certain places, not many. If kids come in literate, fosters love of reading. Problem was it was a company with retired administrators selling it. Chancellor said most students do not come in literate, were failing them by not teaching how to read. We vetted some, none were perfect, came up with three.

Last year we rolled it out, had conversations with teacher center, made recommended list of topics. did not like weekly computer assessment, took up too much time. First graders didn’t get online with passwords. Wanted assessments at end of modules. Produced reports so teachers could modify instruction,

This year goes out to entire school system, is a mess, consultant based. Buzzword for year is fidelity—follow script and don’t divulge. Chancellor says we aren’t telling schools to do that because teachers need to modify instruction. Teachers doing it because mandated, superintendents said Tweed mandated. Impossible to teach with “fidelity.”

Most classrooms had many languages spoken, different levels of education, and things have to be modified. Will make front and center with new chancellor. New CLs, need to use operational complaints. If school says you have to look at data and make a report, system already did it. Not writing report on things you have access to. Admin can look at system and this is redundant. Don’t let principals get away with it.

Best interests of kids is admin pulling head from anal spore. Don’t let them push you around. We have nice group of HMH teachers, will meet with DOE. Failure is theirs, have harmed children of NYC. Not hard to see what works and doesn’t.

Class size—Last year we got clarification of language. City must fund what it needs to come into compliance. DOE knew they had to send money to schools for reduction of class size. Some got a lot, some got a little, was never going to work. Will be large amounts sent to school this year for class size. Believes we have tentative agreement, 800 schools have space. Missing staff. If all you need is staff, you have to fund salaries.

Our position is each school should have autonomy to plan. Blue books all wrong. Wants each school to engage in conversation. Agreements are mandated. If this works how we think, each school will submit a plan for next year. Will say how many teachers they need to fund, so DOE can send money for salary and benefits to stay forever. Foundation aid grows from year to year barring economic calamity.

If this works correctly, biggest challenge, if school has space, is finding people. Schools that don’t have space—Goes to speak about goals, 20, 40, 60%. Schools can get waivers. In district 9 they won’t have enough teachers. Some classes will meet law, others will not.

Some are completely overcrowded, construction authority will have to build space, will grant waivers until space is available.

Safety—how many times have you heard it’s impossible to suspend kids so don’t bother? De Blasio did well on pre K, bad on safety. Getting rid of suspensions was priority for them. In classrooms you need some discipline in order to teach. What about other 24 kids who don’t get education because one child needs help?

Lots of principals, DOE, doesn’t get this yet. Last day before long break always problem. When something happens and you yell you want a suspension will be hard without complete overt act. Not what public thinks. Not when kid tells you to go screw yourself, kid comes back 15 minutes later with cookie and glass of water.

Bloomberg did too much. But don’t want to get to point there is chaos and you can’t teach. Have to use student removal process, not used by many. You fill out form, submit. If they refuse, submit in writing. You can appeal, but many are overturned. Have to discuss how you will use removal process in school. Admin needs to run a school with a good climate. Not based on zip code. Responsibility is school leader working with safety committee.

When appropriate, you move conversation. Parents are right on this issue. I meet with CEC leaders. They wonder why when something bad happens to their kids, when they don’t learn, they talk about disruptive student, not other 24 kids. Have to use student removal process. We see suspensions, but student removals are at zero. Please make it part of consultation and safety committee. Parents understand quite well.

When you do consultation, you submit notes. Be on chapter leader hub. Easy to put in notes. We need them to say what is resolved and not, will go to district consolation, than to mine with chancellor. First response is why wasn’t this handled at school level? Because “legal” told principals they could do whatever they want.

Calendar—Election day handled. Got it done. DOE resisted. Principal said 2 principals wanted people to come in. DOE had 50% open. Don’t want people to drive to get on a laptop and log on. We did election day. Thanks DOE.

Did something different in last negotiations. Did NOT negotiate calendar, used it to get three years of calendars, Had right to be consulted. Used it. With all additional holidays wanted to work it out. During conversation, was 186, 187, 186, down to 161 three times. Don’t have to worry about snow days, because they will be virtual. School years starts day after Labor Day, ends June 26 or 28.

To get three year agreement, we had to deal with things later. One was December 23rd. Did it create a precedent, or was in non-precedential. Remembers working on it. Remembers working Easter Monday. We got it last year. Issue for us now is December 23. Thankfully, we have parents in district 20, along with students, have started position. Arguments are simple. What will attendance be? Around 40%.

What does that do to school? Bad data. Costs 110 million to open school for one day. Will have more conversations. They talk about instructional time, quality instruction, morons go back and forth. We used three year plan, was very smart of our committee, not our fault city recognized every holiday, now people want more. Problem is we have to get 180 days or they will extend school year.

See how easy it is? That’s what we’re doing. May need other creative actions.

Health care—October report always very long. Been in contact again with Anthem, insurer for MSK, will be talking with CEO. Will get it done, or will be on street in front of MSK. We have longstanding relationship with MSK. I recall teacher with bad diagnosis, was in tears because MSK was not in plan. Said they would RFP plan if they didn’t include MSK.

We layered that with hot line, We start doing that work. Since January 1, 1500 people on UFT plan have used that service. Tough thing, but we have great relationship with them, want to continue. MSK didn’t have to inform anyone until November, did in August. We know they are best cancer treatment locale, doesn’t mean they need to be paid more than everyone else.

Institution down the street not as good, charges more. Problem with health care is crazy people who think it’s all about money, drives up cost. Hospital way too important. Insurance company and MSK both making money. If they don’t move, they’re not here for care and patients from our union.

HSS did same thing. Have our own hotline. Asks people clap. Scattered applause. 394 people have had access. Sometimes members want to just check diagnosis. 235 members using it. Number one orthopedic but not most expensive. That’s why we want it. Best care, not close to most expensive. Other hospitals charge double, good luck you don’t get infection.

No negotiations going on with city on anything.

Mulgrew objects as someone makes point of order. Then declares person out of order. Says report has to be done, very long report, says sometimes long, sometimes short. You might have one specific thing, not what you want to talk about. It is a democracy.

I want us to be better than what I see in national elections. I prefer not to do a long report, but it’s first since June.

MOSL—trained schools on what it means. If not sure, contact us. Every year schools make bad decisions and are affected negatively IPC by 26th. We fight for budgets, everyone has to show money all spent. SBO deadline is Friday. Make sure paperwork gets in. Most utilized part of contract.

Virtual teacher meeting happened. Have idea for committee to create 3 or 4 models.PreK-3 we have to know. Person hired to do preK, who tried to dismantle, has left. Have hope for new ones. If any admin tells you take pictures with cell phones and upload as evidence, let us know, not mandated.

Adult ed. denied pro rata payment 6 hours, told them to reverse denials. Won arbitration.

CTE, Perkins money distributed. Ask for disbursement, make sure being used properly. End of report. 5;32.

LeRoy Barr—Welcome. CL training this weekend. Phone banks. Wants everyone to participate. Making strides. Thanks for wearing pink. We are major contributor. October 20 we will march. Teacher Union Day, based on first strike November 7, we honor our own. November 5th, make sure you vote. Next DA November 13.

Mulgrew—Thanks folks who did UFT golf outing. For disaster relief.

Questions—

Q—RTC delegate—health—Now that UFT has withdrawn support of MA, and given court has ruled in favor of NYC retirees, will you file amicus briefs, letter of support and resources for us to win cases.

A—Been going back and forth. Will not submit amicus brief. Allegations in case are false. Supplied letter we did not support. Court sent back on technicality. We do not support this anymore. Issue is, trying to be nice, allegations that we would have agreed to certain things are false. We may laugh about it, things alleged true in any MA plan, but not true in ours, We’re not yelling out of order folks.

Still only one union that has officially withdrawn support, sent a letter to the mayor, this is not a dialogue. You ask a question, and I answer. wE have many folks angry with us. We understand the court case, will argue if you keep saying things that are not true. We will fight to stop it if court says we will move forward. We do the work of the UFT, of our members, will continue to always do that. This is election year, shenanigan and hijinks year for UFT. Factual conversations more important than ever. People think we have right to disrespect each other, to yell at each other. If you have information that shows something else show me, Majority wants to hear report. This is how DA works, appreciate questions, will move forward. If court says city can do this, we will fight. Certain things already decided are problematic in future. City not negotiation anything.

Q—Concerned about districts like 20, and FDR HS packed to the brim. How long will waivers remain in place, do they require renewal, and will there be sufficient space?

A—5 year time on waivers. Shouldn’t be too hard. Will lower a few classes. Don’t want to wait 5 years. Need city to complete plan. Annex, build on top. SCA cannot ignore your school. Might be going to your school. Interested in doing waivers but kicking in construction. Will be part of schools forever. Won’t have 100% compliance. Will have to help schools with influx of students. Have to deal. Always must be plan to fix.

Q—What do we say to principal who wants to cap existing classes at lower number, instead of hiring additional teachers?

A—No, you can’t cap a school, eliminate programs, don’t want schools capped. If you want to, where are you building new schools? Plans to cap schools won’t be approved. Parents have said they don’t want kids bused to other districts. Talking about 4 billion in construction this year alone. City all in and paid for.

Q—We have shortage of paras. Any plan about hiring freeze?

A—Didn’t report on it. Yesterday sent notification to state, city, mayor, have been under corrective action plan, can’t count covid, for four years. NYC required to comply on special ed for approval. Gotten worse, not better, over four years. going to do evaluations, going to increase number of NEST programs. We still have more out of compliance on all titles. We need paras, they say they can’t hire, have money but waste it. Thanks chapters, para, OT PT, 7K kids not receiving OT PT. DOE has no idea. Every mandated para in system. City doesn’t want to know. Have FOILed for corrective action plan. State sends us money for these services, not for consultants. Not so DOE can have meetings and consultants. Money for paras, teachers, we have now sent out special ed survey to CLs, says use special ed. committee, get data.

Motions—

Resolution for this month’s agenda—Wants more money in pockets of members, wants equitable pension COLA for NYC retirees. UFT will launch campaign to establish COLA adjustment for retirees, develop plan, engage officials, members, advocate for innovative solutions, revise methodology. Asking for support to help retirees.

Comment—Needs time to study. what is rush? Need time to think ti through. Motions should not come from leadership. Should be rank and file.

Mulgrew—won’t put up with not being nice. Vote will be here and online. Resolution for new plan on COLA to make it fairer on this month’s agenda.

online yes 679 no 168 room 278 yes 118 no passes

Mike Shulman—propose we extend 10 minutes.

Vote.

online yes 644 no 207 room can’t hear—we are extended

Elizabeth Perez—Moves resolution to number one. Doesn’t agree with Norm Scott. Retires should get COLA.

yes 542 no 188 room 248 yes 119 no passes at 72%

Speaker—COLA ensures pensions keep up with times, about protecting retirees. by supporting we are taking action for dignified retirement, union stands with retirees.

Speaker—calls question.

Mulgrew—talks of Robert’s Rules, differences for UFT, explains call question, prefers we at least give a chance for speaker for and against.

Calls question.

Mulgrew says vote on resolution, then corrects himself says vote on calling question.

yes 653 no 95 room 299 yes 63 no passes

Mulgrew makes joke.

yes 707 no 46 room 311 yes 34 no

Mulgrew thanks us. Asks clickers be returned.

Thanks to Daniel A. for the graphic.